'Ugly Betty' actor charged with sword murder

NEW:The 3-foot sword allegedly used is a martial arts weapon, suspect's father says

NEW: Brea attended a meeting the night of the incident, later complained of headaches

Brea, an actor who appeared on ABC's "Ugly Betty," is charged with 2nd-degree murder

Police say they found him wielding a 3-foot long sword near his dead mother

New York (CNN) -- A bit actor who appeared on ABC's "Ugly Betty" series has been charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon after police said they found him wielding a 3-foot long sword near the body of his dead mother.

Police arrested Michael Brea, 31, after responding to neighbors' complaints of shouting coming from a Brooklyn apartment that Brea shared with his mother, New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said.

Neighbors described hearing screams and loud voices coming from the apartment early Tuesday.

"I heard the scream for help. 'Call 9-1-1'," said Clinton Clare, a neighbor who lives below the Brea apartment.

"It would've made a big difference," he said. "I think Miss Brea would still be here [had police responded sooner]."

But New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said during a news conference officers were following police procedures.

"When there is a barricade situation, responding patrol officers, if possible, wait for emergency service officers to come," he said.

Brea is being held at the Bellvue Hospital Psychiatric Ward, after having first been evaluated at Kings County Hospital, according to the spokesman.

Yannick Brea had worked as housekeeper at a Marriott Hotel in Manhattan, New York.

"We were shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely death of our housekeeping associate, Ms. Yannick Brea," said Kathleen Duffy, spokesperson for NYC Marriott Hotels. "Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Ms. Brea's family and friends," she said.

The elder Brea said he is in the process of hiring a lawyer to defend his son.